7 must-see Central Oregon festivals this winter
Heading for Central Oregon this fall or winter? Here are some of the fairs and festivals that lie ahead.
Old Fashion Christmas: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 10, Deschutes County Fairgrounds, 3800S.W. Airport Way, Redmond. A nostalgic celebration of the holidays with a variety of arts and crafts, antiques, food, activities and Santa. $5 admission with a canned food item. bit.ly/2it9gty
Bend Ale Festival: Nov. 9, Northwest Crossing, Bend. Join the 10K Bend Ale Run, which starts at 10a.m., then enjoy a race-ending beer festival that runs from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sample 40 beers from 20 breweries and enjoy live music. A $20tasting package gets you a pint glass and 10tasting tokens. bendalefestival.com
Jazz at the Oxford: Nov. 16-March 14, Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Ave., Bend. The 10th annual Bendbroadband jazz series brings artists such as Eldon “T” Jones and Patrick Lamb to the hotel’s intimate stage. $45-$47. www.oxfordhotelbend. com
Grand Illumination: Noon-7 p.m. Nov. 23, Sunriver Resort, 17600 Center Drive, Sunriver. This year’s event will include a visit from Santa, live music, children’s craft projects, train rides, Oregon Observatory telescope viewing, bounce houses, Putt Putt, huggable holiday characters and more. Enjoy live entertainment on the main stage outdoors, a hot cocoa station and holiday gift shopping and food from local vendors and resort restaurants. www.destinationhotels.com/ sunriver-resort
Blacklight Blast: 6-8 p.m. on six Saturday evenings between Nov. 27 and March 1, SHARC,
Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic and Recreation Center, 57250 Overlook Road, Sunriver. Sunriver’s
illuminated tubing hill is the venue for this crazy-fun blacklight and glow stick event, held regardless of weather. The tubing run is made with a plastic Nevplast that creates downhill thrills with or without snow. $13-$16. www.sunriversharc. com/wintertubing
Bend Christmas Parade: Noon Dec. 7, downtown Bend. “The Best Christmas Ever” is this year’s theme for the annual Christmas parade. bendchristmasparade.org Oregon Winterfest: Feb. 1416, Old Mill District, 450S.W. Powerhouse Drive, Bend. This massive celebration of all things wintry will include national music acts, a fire pit competition, ice sculptures, fine art, delicious food, beer and wine. $10-$15. oregonwinterfest.com
— Lisa Herendeen, Staff